WO2004030324A1 - Apparatus and method for inputting characters on small computing/communications devices - Google Patents

Apparatus and method for inputting characters on small computing/communications devices Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2004030324A1
WO2004030324A1 PCT/KR2003/001942 KR0301942W WO2004030324A1 WO 2004030324 A1 WO2004030324 A1 WO 2004030324A1 KR 0301942 W KR0301942 W KR 0301942W WO 2004030324 A1 WO2004030324 A1 WO 2004030324A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
character
key
input
mode
characters
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/KR2003/001942
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Joon-Mo Kim
Original Assignee
Cho, Seong-Je
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Cho, Seong-Je filed Critical Cho, Seong-Je
Priority to AU2003264561A priority Critical patent/AU2003264561A1/en
Publication of WO2004030324A1 publication Critical patent/WO2004030324A1/en

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
    • G06F3/023—Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
    • G06F3/0233—Character input methods
    • G06F3/0236—Character input methods using selection techniques to select from displayed items
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/01—Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
    • G06F3/02—Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
    • G06F3/023—Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
    • G06F3/0233—Character input methods
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2250/00—Details of telephonic subscriber devices
    • H04M2250/70—Details of telephonic subscriber devices methods for entering alphabetical characters, e.g. multi-tap or dictionary disambiguation

Definitions

  • the present invention relates, in general, to an apparatus and method for inputting characters in a small-sized terminal and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for inputting characters in a small-sized terminal, which reduces the time required to input characters and improves convenience in inputting characters.
  • small-sized terminals are typical small computers or communication terminals, which cannot use conventional keyboards as input devices due to the small size thereof.
  • the small-sized terminals include portable devices, such as mobile phones and Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) devices, which allow a user to input characters by pressing character keys formed in the form of a numeric keypad (hereinafter referred to as "character key") of a telephone or a touch screen.
  • PDA Personal Digital Assistant
  • Such small-sized terminals have been gradually developed to have small sizes, light weights and a variety of functions for portability. Accordingly, there is a problem in that an area, which can be occupied by character keys in such a small-sized terminal, is reduced and the number of required character keys is increased.
  • a character input apparatus and method in a small-sized terminal implemented to input a plurality of characters using one character key, has been proposed.
  • the character input apparatus in a small-sized terminal is implemented to input each of the characters according to a unique set of rules.
  • a character In such a conventional character input apparatus in a small-sized terminal, at least one character (typically, a maximum of three or four characters) is allocated to a character key. For example, consonants or vowels of the Korean and English alphabets are allocated to character keys of a small-sized terminal commercialized in Korea.
  • the number of characters allocated to each character key is a maximum of three with respect to each language.
  • a user repeatedly presses a character key, to which a desired character is allocated, one or more times (in the case of the Korean alphabet, a maximum of five times), thus inputting the desired character.
  • the above-described conventional character input apparatus and method in a small-sized terminal is problematic in that one key must be repeatedly pressed a maximum of fives times so as to input one character. Especially, there may occur cases where the user must wait until a cursor moves to a next position where a character is to be displayed, or must press an arrow key, thus increasing the time required to input characters.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for inputting characters, which can solve the above- described problems.
  • the character input apparatus of the present invention comprises input means in which a plurality of character keys including group keys and position keys are arranged in a form of a matrix having a plurality of columns and rows, the input means generating a predetermined key input signal with respect to each of the character keys when the character key is pressed; display means for displaying each of characters input by the input means; information storing means for storing single key information on a character displayed on the display means by pressing a corresponding group key, and double key information on a character displayed on the display means by sequentially pressing a corresponding group key and a corresponding position key; and control means for receiving a key input signal generated by the input means by pressing at least one character key to search the information storing means, and displaying a character corresponding to the key input signal on the display means.
  • a predetermined number of characters are allocated to each of the group keys, and the position keys indicate positions of some of the characters,
  • Another aspect of the invention to accomplish the above object relates to a method of inputting characters in a small-sized terminal, the small-sized terminal including input means in which a plurality of keys, having a plurality of group keys each with at least two characters allocated thereto in a predetermined sequence and a plurality of position keys indicating positions of some of characters, allocated to each of the group keys, on the group key, are arranged in the form of a matrix having a plurality of rows and columns and which generates a predetermined key input signal in response to an operation of pressing each of the keys, information storing means for storing character information representing a correlation between each of the keys and each of the characters and mode conversion information, and display means for displaying characters.
  • the character input method of the present invention comprises the steps A) searching the information storing means in response to a first group key input signal generated by the input means; B) displaying a first character searched from the information storing means at step A) on the display means; C) determining whether a first position key input signal is generated by the input means by pressing any one of the position keys; D) searching the information storing means to select a second character at a position indicated by the first position key input signal among the characters on a group key, to which the first character displayed at step B) is allocated, when the first position key input signal is generated; and E) converting the first character displayed on the display means to the second character and displaying the second character.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the entire construction of an apparatus for inputting characters in a small-sized terminal according to the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a view showing keys of an input means of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the construction of an information storing means of FIG. 1;
  • FIGS. 4a to 4c are views showing various pieces of information stored in respective storing units of the information storing means of FIG. 3, and formats of the information;
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the construction of a control means of FIG. 1 to input characters.
  • FIGS. 6a to 6c are flowcharts of a process of inputting characters in a language input mode of the character input apparatus of the present invention.
  • input means 120 display means
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the entire construction of an apparatus for inputting characters in a small-sized terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • a character input apparatus 100 of the present invention includes an input means 110, a display means 120, an information storing means 130 and a control means 140.
  • the input means 110 includes a plurality of character keys mounted on a predetermined board. When a corresponding character key is pressed by a user, the input means 110 generates a key input signal corresponding to the pressed character key and provides the key input signal to the control means 140.
  • the character keys of the input means 110 are divided into a plurality of group keys each allocated at least one character, and a plurality of position keys indicating the positions of some of the characters, allocated to each of the group keys, on the group key.
  • the group keys and the position keys are arranged in the form of a matrix having a plurality of rows and columns. In the embodiment, a predetermined number of characters of one or both of the Korean and English alphabets are assigned to each of the group keys with respect to each of the languages.
  • the number of characters allocated to each of the group keys with respect to each of the languages is greater than the number of columns (or rows) of the matrix, and the number of the position keys is equal to or less than the number of columns (or rows) of the matrix. That is, the number of characters allocated to each group key with respect to each of the languages is equal to or greater than the number of the position keys.
  • characters allocated to each group key are classified into a first character group including certain characters starting with a final character, with the number of the characters being equal to that of the position keys with respect to each of the languages, and a second character group including the remaining characters except for characters belonging to the first character group. In this case, a second character group may not be formed on a part of the plurality of group keys.
  • each of the group keys a character belonging to the second character group is input by pressing the group key, and a character belonging to the first character group is input by sequentially pressing the group key and a position key designating the position of the character.
  • a first character of each group key to which four characters are allocated, belongs to the second character group, and is input by pressing the corresponding group key once.
  • the characters belonging to the second character group are input by pressing a corresponding group key once and sequentially pressing the group key twice, respectively.
  • a plurality of character keys are arranged in the form of a 4 x 3 matrix, and are divided into group keys on which 1, 2, ... and 9 are printed at certain portions, respectively, and position keys on which 0, * and # are printed at certain portions, respectively.
  • the character keys are divided into group keys, such as "1" key 201, "2" key 202, "3" key 203, "4" key 204, "5" key 205, “6” key 206, "7” key 207, "8” key 208 and “9” key 209, and position keys, such as "*" key 210, "0" key 211 and "#” key 212, according to numerals or special characters printed on the character keys, and are described thereby.
  • consonants of the Korean alphabet of a number larger than the number of the columns of the matrix by one are allocated to the "1" key 201.
  • Korean alphabet characters of a number larger than the number of the columns of the matrix by one and English alphabet characters of a number equal to the number of the columns of the matrix are allocated to each of the "2" key 202, the "4" key 204, the "5" key 205, the "6” key 206 and the "8” key 208. That is, a second character group comprised of one Korean alphabet character is formed on each of the "1” key 201, "2" key 202, "4" key 204, "5" key 205, "6” key 206 and "8” key 208.
  • Korean alphabet vowels and English alphabet characters of numbers each equal to the number of the columns of the matrix are allocated to the "3" key 203.
  • Korean alphabet consonants and English alphabet characters of numbers each larger than the number of the columns of the matrix by one are allocated to the "7" key 207.
  • Korean alphabet consonants of a number equal to the number of the columns of the matrix and English alphabet characters of a number larger than the number of the columns of the matrix by one are allocated to the "9" key 209. Therefore, a second character group is not formed on the "3" key 203, but a second character group comprised of one Korean alphabet character and another second character group comprised of one English alphabet character are formed on the "7" key 207.
  • a second character group comprised of one English alphabet character is formed on the "9" key 209.
  • the position keys such as the "*" key 210, the "0" key 211 and the "#” key 212, are arranged in a fourth row of the matrix and used to indicate the positions of characters belonging to a first character group of each group key.
  • the "*" key 210 indicates a character positioned third from a final position of the characters allocated to a group key
  • the "0" key 211 indicates a character positioned second from the final position of the characters allocated to a group key
  • the "#" key 212 indicates a character positioned in the final position of the characters allocated to a group key.
  • the display means 120 is controlled by the control means 140 to display a current mode of the character input apparatus, characters input through the input means 110 and the like.
  • the mode thereof is converted by sequentially pressing two position keys (hereinafter referred to as "hot-key").
  • the mode includes a Korean input mode (in the case of an embodiment using another language, a language input mode other than an English input mode), the English input mode, a numeric input mode, a special character input mode and etc.
  • the numeric input mode and the special character input mode are modes set to selectively input special characters/numerals displayed on a selection screen on the display means 120. Since the numeric and special character input modes are disclosed in prior art, a detailed description thereof is omitted.
  • the display means 120 can be implemented by a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or the like.
  • the information storing means 130 stores predetermined information and programs for managing the information, and provides to the control means 140 information and characters searched for in response to a mode conformation signal MODE_CON and a character selection signal CHA_SEL, which are provided from the control means 140.
  • Such an information storing means 130 can be implemented by a Read Only Memory (ROM) or Random Access Memory (RAM).
  • ROM Read Only Memory
  • RAM Random Access Memory
  • the information storing means 130 includes an information managing unit 301, a mode information storing unit 303, a single key information storing unit 305 and a double key information storing unit 307.
  • the information managing unit 301 has programs for managing information therein so as to read information corresponding to a signal input from the control means 140 from the respective storing units 303, 305 and 307 and provide the read information to the control means 140.
  • the mode information storing unit 303 stores therein information on at least two position keys used to convert the character input apparatus of the present invention from a certain mode to another mode.
  • the mode information storing unit 303 includes position key information (that is, "*0") used for mutual conversion between the Korean input mode and the English input mode, position key information (that is, "*#”) used for mutual conversion between the Korean input mode and the numeric input mode, position key information (that is, "0*”) used for mutual conversion between the Korean input mode and the special character input mode, position key information (that is, "0#”) used for mutual conversion between the English input mode and the numeric input mode, position key information (that is, "#*”) used for mutual conversion between the English input mode and the special character input mode, and position key information (that is, "#0”) used for mutual conversion between the numeric input mode and the special character input mode.
  • the mode information storing unit 303 stores information on the "1" key 201, to which English alphabet characters are not allocated, in the form of information on a character key for toggling uppercase and lowercase letters of the English alphabet.
  • a character key for inputting an uppercase letter "P" of the English alphabet is the "7" key 207 (refer to FIG. 4b).
  • a lowercase letter "p" of the English alphabet is displayed on the display means 120 if the "7" key 207 is pressed.
  • the single key information storing unit 305 stores information on a character key for inputting a character belonging to a second character group, input by pressing only a group key, in the form of single key information for each of the languages (refer to FIG. 4b).
  • the single key information storing unit 305 stores therein information (that is, "1") representing an operation of pressing the "1" key 201 once, as in the form of single key information for inputting a Korean alphabet character " ⁇ ".
  • the single key information storing unit 305 stores therein information representing an operation of pressing the "9” key 209 once (that is, "9"), in the form of single key information for inputting an English alphabet character "W”.
  • a second character group is comprised of two or more characters
  • information representing a correlation between characters belonging to the second character group and the number of pressing operations for a group key for inputting the characters is stored in the single key information storing unit 305.
  • the double key information storing unit 307 stores information representing a correlation between each group key and position keys for inputting characters belonging to a first character group, and information representing a correlation between two different group keys (or a pair of a group key and a position key) for inputting diphthongs and double consonants of the Korean alphabet, which are not allocated to the character keys, in the form of double key information for each of the languages (refer to FIG. 4c).
  • the double key information storing unit 307 stores information (that is, "2#") representing a correlation between the "2" key 202, a group key, to which the diphthong “ “ is allocated, and the "#" key 212, a position key indicating the position of the " " on the "2" key 202.
  • the double key information storing unit 307 stores information (that is, "63") representing a correlation between the "6" key 206, a group key for inputting the vowel “ 1 ", and the "3" key 203, a group key for inputting the vowel « v »
  • a plurality of pieces of character information stored in the three storing units 303, 305 and 307 can be stored in a single integrated storing unit.
  • characters of a number equal to the number of the position keys for each group key are input by sequentially pressing a corresponding group key and a corresponding position key.
  • the remaining characters exceeding the number of the position keys are input by pressing a corresponding group key a predetermined number times. Therefore, even though characters of a number larger than the number of characters allocated to a conventional character key are allocated to each group key, the characters can be conveniently and promptly input by reducing the number of pressing operations for each key.
  • the control means 140 receives key input signals sequentially generated by the input means 110 to search the information storing means 130, and to convert a mode of the small-sized terminal according to mode conversion information output from the information managing unit 301 or display characters on the display means 120.
  • the control means 140 includes a distributing unit 501, a group key input unit 503, a position key input unit 505, a signal reading unit 507, a mode managing unit 509, a character selecting unit 511 and a display control unit 513.
  • the distributing unit 501 discriminates key input signals generated by the input means 110 according to a current mode of the character input apparatus 100 and distributes the key input signals to the group key input unit 503 or the position key input unit 505.
  • Both the group key input unit 503 and the position key input unit 505 provide the signals provided from the distributing unit 501 to the signal reading unit 507.
  • the signal reading unit 507 generates the mode confirmation signal MODE_CON using two position key input signals sequentially provided from the position key input unit 505, and searches the information storing means 130 on the basis of the generated mode confirmation signal MODE_CON. Then, if the two position key input signals are signals for mode conversion, the signal reading unit 507 provides searched mode conversion information to the mode managing unit 509. At this time, the mode managing unit 509 provides the mode conversion information to the distributing unit 501, the character selecting unit 511 and the display control unit 513, thus converting the current mode of the character input apparatus depending on the mode conversion information.
  • the signal reading unit 507 provides a group key input signal provided from the group key input unit 503, and another group key input signal and/or a position key input signal, which are provided from the group key input unit 503 and/or the position key input unit 505 after the group key input signal has been provided, to the character selecting unit 511.
  • the character selecting unit 511 generates a character selection signal CHA_SEL corresponding to the group key input signal and/or the position key input signal provided from the signal reading unit 507, on the basis of the mode conversion information provided from the mode managing unit 509, and provides the character selection signal CHA_SEL to the information storing means 130.
  • the display control unit 513 displays the mode conversion information provided from the mode managing unit 509, and characters, numerals, etc. provided from the information storing means 130 on the display means 120.
  • control means 140 may transmit a signal input from a microphone 160 to the outside of the character input apparatus or may output a signal received from the outside through a speaker 170, through the use of a transmitting/receiving means 150.
  • the distributing unit 501, the group key input unit 503, the position key input unit 505, the signal reading unit 507, the mode managing unit 509, the character selecting unit 511 and the display control unit 513 of the control means 140 can be integrated into one unit. In this case, the operations of the units 501 to 513 can be implemented by programs.
  • FIGS. 6a to 6c are flowcharts of a process of inputting characters in a language input mode of the character input apparatus of the present invention.
  • group keys and position keys
  • group keys are divided into first, second and third group keys (or position keys) according to the sequence of pressing operations, and are described thereby in a later description.
  • an initial mode is assumed to be a Korean input mode.
  • the control means 140 determines whether a first group key input signal is generated by the input means 110 at step S600.
  • the control means 140 searches for single key information stored in the single key information storing unit 305 of the information storing means 130 on the basis of the first group key input signal generated by the input means 110 at step S610, and displays a first character corresponding to the searched single key information on the display means 120 at step S620. In this state, the control means 140 determines whether a first position key input signal is generated by the input means 110 at step S630. If the first position key input signal is generated at step S630, the control means 140 searches for double key information stored in the double key information storing unit 307 of the information storing means 130 on the basis of the first group key input signal, which has been previously input, and the first position key input signal at step S640. Then, the control means 140 converts the first character displayed at step S620 to a second character corresponding to the double key information searched at step S640 and displays the second character on the display means 120 at step S650.
  • control means 140 determines whether a second position key input signal is generated by the input means 110 at step S660. If the second position key input signal is generated at step S660, the control means 140 searches for mode conversion information stored in the mode information storing unit 303 of the information storing means 130 on the basis of the first position key input signal, which has been previously input, and the second position key input signal at step S670, thus examining whether the mode conversion information is detected at step S680.
  • the control means 140 converts a current mode of the character input apparatus depending on the mode conversion information detected by the combination of the first and second position key input signals, converts the second character displayed on the display means 120 to the first character and displays the first character at step S690.
  • control means 140 determines whether a third position key input signal is generated by the input means 110 at step S710. If the third position key input signal is generated at step S710, the control means 140 searches for mode conversion information stored in the mode information storing unit 303 of the information storing means 130 on the basis of the second position key input signal, which has been previously input, and the third position key input signal at step S720.
  • control means 140 converts the current mode of the character input apparatus again depending on the mode conversion information searched at step S720, converts the first character displayed on the display means 120 to the second character and displays the second character at step S730.
  • the first group key input signal generated at step S600 is a signal generated by pressing the "1" key 201
  • the first character displayed on the display means 120 is " ⁇ " of the Korean alphabet.
  • the first position key input signal generated at step S630 is a signal generated by pressing the "*" key 210
  • the first character displayed on the display means 120 is converted to "L.”, which is the second character.
  • the second position key input signal generated at step S660 is a signal generated by pressing the "0" key 211
  • the character input apparatus of the present invention is converted to an English input mode. Further, the second character is converted to " ⁇ " which is the first character displayed before the first position key input signal is input, and displayed on the display means 120.
  • the character input apparatus of the present invention is converted to a numeric input mode. Further, the first character displayed on the display means 120 is converted again to the second character.
  • the character input apparatus and method of the present invention if the first group key input signal is generated to cause the character " ⁇ " to be displayed on the display means 120, and thereafter the first to third position key input signals are sequentially input, the character displayed on the display means 120 is sequentially changed in order of "i , T-, ⁇ and T-". Further, the mode of the character input apparatus is sequentially converted in order of "the Korean input mode, the English input mode and the numeric input mode".
  • the control means 140 determines whether an input termination signal is generated at step S740. If the input termination signal is generated, the character input process of the present invention is terminated, while if the input termination signal is not generated, the above step S600 is performed. In the meantime, at steps S630, S660, S680 and S710, if any position key input signal is not generated or if a second group key input signal is generated without the detection of the mode conversion information at step S810, the control means 140 searches for single key information stored in the single key information storing unit 305 of the information storing means 130 on the basis of the second group key input signal generated by the input means 110 at step S820.
  • control means 140 examines whether a third character corresponding to the searched single key information is a character combinable with the previous character (the first or second character) at step S830.
  • the mode of the character input apparatus of the present invention is the Korean input mode and " ⁇ ⁇ " is displayed on the display means 120.
  • the second group key input signal generated at step S810 is a signal generated by pressing the "8" key 208
  • the third character to be displayed on the display means 120 is "A"
  • a double consonant "i ⁇ " present in the Korean alphabet is generated.
  • the control means 140 displays a character (for example, "T ⁇ ") generated by combining the previous character with the third character on the display means 120 at step S840, and then performs the above step S740.
  • the control means 140 displays the third character on the display means 120 separately from the previous character at step S850, and then performs the above step S740. In this case, after the display steps S840 and S850 are performed, the above step S630 can be performed.
  • characters can be input by pressing a group key once, or sequentially pressing a group key and a position key (that is, a total of two pressing operations), characters can be more conveniently input compared to the prior art.
  • the present invention provides an apparatus and method for inputting characters in a small-sized terminal, which converts the pressing of keys on a numeric keypad of the small-sized terminal having a limited number of keys through simple and intuitive combinations, thus expanding a key space to a virtual two-dimensional structure. That is, an actual keypad is not changed, but the number of virtual keys is increased, so that graphemes of a number much larger than the number of characters allocated to each conventional key can be directly input on the numeric keypad. Consequently, the character input apparatus and method of the present invention is implemented so that a large number of graphemes, except for some graphemes input by pressing a key once, correspond to virtual keys, thus enabling all graphemes to be input by pressing each key only once or twice.
  • the advantages of the character input apparatus and method of the present invention obtained by the above implementation are described below.
  • languages such as Japanese having 50 or more graphemes, can be directly input on a numeric keypad.
  • hot-keys are generated by combining the remaining keys, such as position keys, to which characters are not allocated, so that a mode can be converted on the numeric keypad, and an additional function (character deletion, etc.) of a small- sized terminal can be added.
  • two keys for selecting a single grapheme can be intuitively recognized, a user can easily and conveniently perform the inputting of characters without additional learning.
  • the present invention can eliminate any inconvenience that a user waits until a cursor moves to a next position, or presses an arrow key so as to input characters.
  • the present invention can minimize the time required to input characters.

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  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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Abstract

Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for inputting characters in a small-sized terminal. The character input apparatus of the present invention includes input means for generating key input signals; a display means for displaying characters, information storing means for storing single key information on a character displayed on the display means by pressing a corresponding group key, and double key information on a character displayed on the display means by sequentially pressing a corresponding group key and a corresponding position key; and control means for displaying characters on the display means in response to the key input signals. In this case, a predetermined number of characters are allocated to each of the group keys, and the position keys indicate the positions of some of characters, allocated to each of the group keys, on the group key.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INPUTTING CHARACTERS ON SMALL COMPUTING/COMMUNICATIONS DEVICES
[ Technical Field ]
The present invention relates, in general, to an apparatus and method for inputting characters in a small-sized terminal and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for inputting characters in a small-sized terminal, which reduces the time required to input characters and improves convenience in inputting characters.
[ Background Art ]
Generally, small-sized terminals are typical small computers or communication terminals, which cannot use conventional keyboards as input devices due to the small size thereof. The small-sized terminals include portable devices, such as mobile phones and Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) devices, which allow a user to input characters by pressing character keys formed in the form of a numeric keypad (hereinafter referred to as "character key") of a telephone or a touch screen. Such small-sized terminals have been gradually developed to have small sizes, light weights and a variety of functions for portability. Accordingly, there is a problem in that an area, which can be occupied by character keys in such a small-sized terminal, is reduced and the number of required character keys is increased. In order to solve the problem, a character input apparatus and method in a small-sized terminal, implemented to input a plurality of characters using one character key, has been proposed. In this case, the character input apparatus in a small-sized terminal is implemented to input each of the characters according to a unique set of rules.
In such a conventional character input apparatus in a small-sized terminal, at least one character (typically, a maximum of three or four characters) is allocated to a character key. For example, consonants or vowels of the Korean and English alphabets are allocated to character keys of a small-sized terminal commercialized in Korea. The number of characters allocated to each character key is a maximum of three with respect to each language. According to the method of inputting characters using the conventional character input apparatus, a user repeatedly presses a character key, to which a desired character is allocated, one or more times (in the case of the Korean alphabet, a maximum of five times), thus inputting the desired character.
In the meantime, if a final consonant of the Korean alphabet is input and then an initial consonant thereof is input, or if a character of the English alphabet, the same as the character input immediately prior to the next input, is input, the user waits for a predetermined time until a cursor moves to a next position at which a character is to be displayed, or inputs a character after pressing an arrow key.
However, the above-described conventional character input apparatus and method in a small-sized terminal is problematic in that one key must be repeatedly pressed a maximum of fives times so as to input one character. Especially, there may occur cases where the user must wait until a cursor moves to a next position where a character is to be displayed, or must press an arrow key, thus increasing the time required to input characters.
[ Disclosure of Invention ]
Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for inputting characters, which can solve the above- described problems.
One aspect of the invention to accomplish the above object relates to an apparatus for inputting characters in a small-sized terminal. The character input apparatus of the present invention comprises input means in which a plurality of character keys including group keys and position keys are arranged in a form of a matrix having a plurality of columns and rows, the input means generating a predetermined key input signal with respect to each of the character keys when the character key is pressed; display means for displaying each of characters input by the input means; information storing means for storing single key information on a character displayed on the display means by pressing a corresponding group key, and double key information on a character displayed on the display means by sequentially pressing a corresponding group key and a corresponding position key; and control means for receiving a key input signal generated by the input means by pressing at least one character key to search the information storing means, and displaying a character corresponding to the key input signal on the display means. In this case, a predetermined number of characters are allocated to each of the group keys, and the position keys indicate positions of some of the characters, allocated to each of the group keys, on the group key.
Another aspect of the invention to accomplish the above object relates to a method of inputting characters in a small-sized terminal, the small-sized terminal including input means in which a plurality of keys, having a plurality of group keys each with at least two characters allocated thereto in a predetermined sequence and a plurality of position keys indicating positions of some of characters, allocated to each of the group keys, on the group key, are arranged in the form of a matrix having a plurality of rows and columns and which generates a predetermined key input signal in response to an operation of pressing each of the keys, information storing means for storing character information representing a correlation between each of the keys and each of the characters and mode conversion information, and display means for displaying characters. The character input method of the present invention comprises the steps A) searching the information storing means in response to a first group key input signal generated by the input means; B) displaying a first character searched from the information storing means at step A) on the display means; C) determining whether a first position key input signal is generated by the input means by pressing any one of the position keys; D) searching the information storing means to select a second character at a position indicated by the first position key input signal among the characters on a group key, to which the first character displayed at step B) is allocated, when the first position key input signal is generated; and E) converting the first character displayed on the display means to the second character and displaying the second character.
[ Brief Description of Drawings I In order to allow the drawings, referred to in the detailed description of the present invention, to be clearly understood, the brief description of the drawings is provided below:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the entire construction of an apparatus for inputting characters in a small-sized terminal according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a view showing keys of an input means of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the construction of an information storing means of FIG. 1;
FIGS. 4a to 4c are views showing various pieces of information stored in respective storing units of the information storing means of FIG. 3, and formats of the information;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the construction of a control means of FIG. 1 to input characters; and
FIGS. 6a to 6c are flowcharts of a process of inputting characters in a language input mode of the character input apparatus of the present invention.
*Description of reference numerals of important components* 110: input means 120: display means
130: information storing means 140: control means
[ Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention ]
In order to sufficiently understand the features and advantages of the present invention and the objects accomplished by working the present invention, the accompanying drawings showing preferred embodiments of the present invention and the following detailed description must be referred to. An apparatus and method for inputting characters in a small-sized terminal according to the present invention can be implemented to input various languages from around the world, such as Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese and German. However, for convenience of description, preferred embodiments of an apparatus and method of the present invention, implemented to input consonants or vowels (that is, graphemes) of the Korean and English alphabets, are described in a later description.
Hereinafter, an apparatus and method for inputting characters in a small-sized terminal according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6c.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the entire construction of an apparatus for inputting characters in a small-sized terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a character input apparatus 100 of the present invention includes an input means 110, a display means 120, an information storing means 130 and a control means 140.
The input means 110 includes a plurality of character keys mounted on a predetermined board. When a corresponding character key is pressed by a user, the input means 110 generates a key input signal corresponding to the pressed character key and provides the key input signal to the control means 140. The character keys of the input means 110 are divided into a plurality of group keys each allocated at least one character, and a plurality of position keys indicating the positions of some of the characters, allocated to each of the group keys, on the group key. The group keys and the position keys are arranged in the form of a matrix having a plurality of rows and columns. In the embodiment, a predetermined number of characters of one or both of the Korean and English alphabets are assigned to each of the group keys with respect to each of the languages. At this time, the number of characters allocated to each of the group keys with respect to each of the languages is greater than the number of columns (or rows) of the matrix, and the number of the position keys is equal to or less than the number of columns (or rows) of the matrix. That is, the number of characters allocated to each group key with respect to each of the languages is equal to or greater than the number of the position keys. For convenience of the description, characters allocated to each group key are classified into a first character group including certain characters starting with a final character, with the number of the characters being equal to that of the position keys with respect to each of the languages, and a second character group including the remaining characters except for characters belonging to the first character group. In this case, a second character group may not be formed on a part of the plurality of group keys. In each of the group keys, a character belonging to the second character group is input by pressing the group key, and a character belonging to the first character group is input by sequentially pressing the group key and a position key designating the position of the character. In the embodiment, only a first character of each group key, to which four characters are allocated, belongs to the second character group, and is input by pressing the corresponding group key once. In the meantime, in another embodiment of the present invention in which the number of characters belonging to the second character group is two, the characters belonging to the second character group are input by pressing a corresponding group key once and sequentially pressing the group key twice, respectively.
Referring to FIG. 2, a plurality of character keys are arranged in the form of a 4 x 3 matrix, and are divided into group keys on which 1, 2, ... and 9 are printed at certain portions, respectively, and position keys on which 0, * and # are printed at certain portions, respectively. In the specification, the character keys are divided into group keys, such as "1" key 201, "2" key 202, "3" key 203, "4" key 204, "5" key 205, "6" key 206, "7" key 207, "8" key 208 and "9" key 209, and position keys, such as "*" key 210, "0" key 211 and "#" key 212, according to numerals or special characters printed on the character keys, and are described thereby. In this case, consonants of the Korean alphabet of a number larger than the number of the columns of the matrix by one are allocated to the "1" key 201. Further, Korean alphabet characters of a number larger than the number of the columns of the matrix by one and English alphabet characters of a number equal to the number of the columns of the matrix are allocated to each of the "2" key 202, the "4" key 204, the "5" key 205, the "6" key 206 and the "8" key 208. That is, a second character group comprised of one Korean alphabet character is formed on each of the "1" key 201, "2" key 202, "4" key 204, "5" key 205, "6" key 206 and "8" key 208. Further, Korean alphabet vowels and English alphabet characters of numbers each equal to the number of the columns of the matrix are allocated to the "3" key 203. Korean alphabet consonants and English alphabet characters of numbers each larger than the number of the columns of the matrix by one are allocated to the "7" key 207. Korean alphabet consonants of a number equal to the number of the columns of the matrix and English alphabet characters of a number larger than the number of the columns of the matrix by one are allocated to the "9" key 209. Therefore, a second character group is not formed on the "3" key 203, but a second character group comprised of one Korean alphabet character and another second character group comprised of one English alphabet character are formed on the "7" key 207. Further, a second character group comprised of one English alphabet character is formed on the "9" key 209. On the other hand, the position keys, such as the "*" key 210, the "0" key 211 and the "#" key 212, are arranged in a fourth row of the matrix and used to indicate the positions of characters belonging to a first character group of each group key. In detail, the "*" key 210 indicates a character positioned third from a final position of the characters allocated to a group key, the "0" key 211 indicates a character positioned second from the final position of the characters allocated to a group key, and the "#" key 212 indicates a character positioned in the final position of the characters allocated to a group key. The display means 120 is controlled by the control means 140 to display a current mode of the character input apparatus, characters input through the input means 110 and the like. According to the character input apparatus of the present invention, the mode thereof is converted by sequentially pressing two position keys (hereinafter referred to as "hot-key"). The mode includes a Korean input mode (in the case of an embodiment using another language, a language input mode other than an English input mode), the English input mode, a numeric input mode, a special character input mode and etc. The numeric input mode and the special character input mode are modes set to selectively input special characters/numerals displayed on a selection screen on the display means 120. Since the numeric and special character input modes are disclosed in prior art, a detailed description thereof is omitted. The display means 120 can be implemented by a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or the like.
The information storing means 130 stores predetermined information and programs for managing the information, and provides to the control means 140 information and characters searched for in response to a mode conformation signal MODE_CON and a character selection signal CHA_SEL, which are provided from the control means 140. Such an information storing means 130 can be implemented by a Read Only Memory (ROM) or Random Access Memory (RAM). Referring to FIG. 3, the information storing means 130 includes an information managing unit 301, a mode information storing unit 303, a single key information storing unit 305 and a double key information storing unit 307.
The information managing unit 301 has programs for managing information therein so as to read information corresponding to a signal input from the control means 140 from the respective storing units 303, 305 and 307 and provide the read information to the control means 140.
The mode information storing unit 303 stores therein information on at least two position keys used to convert the character input apparatus of the present invention from a certain mode to another mode. Referring to FIG. 4a, the mode information storing unit 303 includes position key information (that is, "*0") used for mutual conversion between the Korean input mode and the English input mode, position key information (that is, "*#") used for mutual conversion between the Korean input mode and the numeric input mode, position key information (that is, "0*") used for mutual conversion between the Korean input mode and the special character input mode, position key information (that is, "0#") used for mutual conversion between the English input mode and the numeric input mode, position key information (that is, "#*") used for mutual conversion between the English input mode and the special character input mode, and position key information (that is, "#0") used for mutual conversion between the numeric input mode and the special character input mode. Further, the mode information storing unit 303 stores information on the "1" key 201, to which English alphabet characters are not allocated, in the form of information on a character key for toggling uppercase and lowercase letters of the English alphabet. For example, it is assumed that, in the English input mode, a character key for inputting an uppercase letter "P" of the English alphabet is the "7" key 207 (refer to FIG. 4b). At this time, after uppercase and lowercase letters are toggled by pressing the "1" key 201, a lowercase letter "p" of the English alphabet is displayed on the display means 120 if the "7" key 207 is pressed.
The single key information storing unit 305 stores information on a character key for inputting a character belonging to a second character group, input by pressing only a group key, in the form of single key information for each of the languages (refer to FIG. 4b). For example, the single key information storing unit 305 stores therein information (that is, "1") representing an operation of pressing the "1" key 201 once, as in the form of single key information for inputting a Korean alphabet character "π ". Further, the single key information storing unit 305 stores therein information representing an operation of pressing the "9" key 209 once (that is, "9"), in the form of single key information for inputting an English alphabet character "W". Meanwhile, in another embodiment of the present invention in which a second character group is comprised of two or more characters, information representing a correlation between characters belonging to the second character group and the number of pressing operations for a group key for inputting the characters is stored in the single key information storing unit 305.
The double key information storing unit 307 stores information representing a correlation between each group key and position keys for inputting characters belonging to a first character group, and information representing a correlation between two different group keys (or a pair of a group key and a position key) for inputting diphthongs and double consonants of the Korean alphabet, which are not allocated to the character keys, in the form of double key information for each of the languages (refer to FIG. 4c). For example, in order to input a diphthong " ^ " of the Korean alphabet, the double key information storing unit 307 stores information (that is, "2#") representing a correlation between the "2" key 202, a group key, to which the diphthong " " is allocated, and the "#" key 212, a position key indicating the position of the " " on the "2" key 202. Further, in order to input a diphthong " ", which is not allocated to the character keys and generated by the combination of vowels " ] " and " V ", the double key information storing unit 307 stores information (that is, "63") representing a correlation between the "6" key 206, a group key for inputting the vowel " 1 ", and the "3" key 203, a group key for inputting the vowel « v »
In another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of pieces of character information stored in the three storing units 303, 305 and 307 can be stored in a single integrated storing unit.
According to the character input apparatus of the present invention, characters of a number equal to the number of the position keys for each group key (that is, characters belonging to a first character group) are input by sequentially pressing a corresponding group key and a corresponding position key. The remaining characters exceeding the number of the position keys (that is, characters belonging to a second character group) are input by pressing a corresponding group key a predetermined number times. Therefore, even though characters of a number larger than the number of characters allocated to a conventional character key are allocated to each group key, the characters can be conveniently and promptly input by reducing the number of pressing operations for each key.
The control means 140 receives key input signals sequentially generated by the input means 110 to search the information storing means 130, and to convert a mode of the small-sized terminal according to mode conversion information output from the information managing unit 301 or display characters on the display means 120. Referring to FIG. 5, the control means 140 includes a distributing unit 501, a group key input unit 503, a position key input unit 505, a signal reading unit 507, a mode managing unit 509, a character selecting unit 511 and a display control unit 513. The distributing unit 501 discriminates key input signals generated by the input means 110 according to a current mode of the character input apparatus 100 and distributes the key input signals to the group key input unit 503 or the position key input unit 505. Both the group key input unit 503 and the position key input unit 505 provide the signals provided from the distributing unit 501 to the signal reading unit 507. The signal reading unit 507 generates the mode confirmation signal MODE_CON using two position key input signals sequentially provided from the position key input unit 505, and searches the information storing means 130 on the basis of the generated mode confirmation signal MODE_CON. Then, if the two position key input signals are signals for mode conversion, the signal reading unit 507 provides searched mode conversion information to the mode managing unit 509. At this time, the mode managing unit 509 provides the mode conversion information to the distributing unit 501, the character selecting unit 511 and the display control unit 513, thus converting the current mode of the character input apparatus depending on the mode conversion information. Further, the signal reading unit 507 provides a group key input signal provided from the group key input unit 503, and another group key input signal and/or a position key input signal, which are provided from the group key input unit 503 and/or the position key input unit 505 after the group key input signal has been provided, to the character selecting unit 511. The character selecting unit 511 generates a character selection signal CHA_SEL corresponding to the group key input signal and/or the position key input signal provided from the signal reading unit 507, on the basis of the mode conversion information provided from the mode managing unit 509, and provides the character selection signal CHA_SEL to the information storing means 130. The display control unit 513 displays the mode conversion information provided from the mode managing unit 509, and characters, numerals, etc. provided from the information storing means 130 on the display means 120.
Further, the control means 140 may transmit a signal input from a microphone 160 to the outside of the character input apparatus or may output a signal received from the outside through a speaker 170, through the use of a transmitting/receiving means 150. In the meantime, the distributing unit 501, the group key input unit 503, the position key input unit 505, the signal reading unit 507, the mode managing unit 509, the character selecting unit 511 and the display control unit 513 of the control means 140 can be integrated into one unit. In this case, the operations of the units 501 to 513 can be implemented by programs.
FIGS. 6a to 6c are flowcharts of a process of inputting characters in a language input mode of the character input apparatus of the present invention. For convenience of the description, group keys (and position keys) are divided into first, second and third group keys (or position keys) according to the sequence of pressing operations, and are described thereby in a later description. In this case, an initial mode is assumed to be a Korean input mode. Referring to FIG. 1 to 6c, the control means 140 determines whether a first group key input signal is generated by the input means 110 at step S600. If it is determined that the first group key input signal is generated at step S600, the control means 140 searches for single key information stored in the single key information storing unit 305 of the information storing means 130 on the basis of the first group key input signal generated by the input means 110 at step S610, and displays a first character corresponding to the searched single key information on the display means 120 at step S620. In this state, the control means 140 determines whether a first position key input signal is generated by the input means 110 at step S630. If the first position key input signal is generated at step S630, the control means 140 searches for double key information stored in the double key information storing unit 307 of the information storing means 130 on the basis of the first group key input signal, which has been previously input, and the first position key input signal at step S640. Then, the control means 140 converts the first character displayed at step S620 to a second character corresponding to the double key information searched at step S640 and displays the second character on the display means 120 at step S650.
Thereafter, the control means 140 determines whether a second position key input signal is generated by the input means 110 at step S660. If the second position key input signal is generated at step S660, the control means 140 searches for mode conversion information stored in the mode information storing unit 303 of the information storing means 130 on the basis of the first position key input signal, which has been previously input, and the second position key input signal at step S670, thus examining whether the mode conversion information is detected at step S680. If the mode conversion information corresponding to the sequential generation of the first and second position key input signals is detected at step S680, the control means 140 converts a current mode of the character input apparatus depending on the mode conversion information detected by the combination of the first and second position key input signals, converts the second character displayed on the display means 120 to the first character and displays the first character at step S690.
Thereafter, the control means 140 determines whether a third position key input signal is generated by the input means 110 at step S710. If the third position key input signal is generated at step S710, the control means 140 searches for mode conversion information stored in the mode information storing unit 303 of the information storing means 130 on the basis of the second position key input signal, which has been previously input, and the third position key input signal at step S720.
Further, the control means 140 converts the current mode of the character input apparatus again depending on the mode conversion information searched at step S720, converts the first character displayed on the display means 120 to the second character and displays the second character at step S730.
For example, if the first group key input signal generated at step S600 is a signal generated by pressing the "1" key 201, the first character displayed on the display means 120 is "π " of the Korean alphabet. Further, if the first position key input signal generated at step S630 is a signal generated by pressing the "*" key 210, the first character displayed on the display means 120 is converted to "L.", which is the second character. Then, if the second position key input signal generated at step S660 is a signal generated by pressing the "0" key 211, the character input apparatus of the present invention is converted to an English input mode. Further, the second character is converted to "π " which is the first character displayed before the first position key input signal is input, and displayed on the display means 120. Then, if the third position key input signal generated at step S710 is a signal generated by pressing the "#" key 213, the character input apparatus of the present invention is converted to a numeric input mode. Further, the first character displayed on the display means 120 is converted again to the second character. In other words, in the character input apparatus and method of the present invention, if the first group key input signal is generated to cause the character "π" to be displayed on the display means 120, and thereafter the first to third position key input signals are sequentially input, the character displayed on the display means 120 is sequentially changed in order of "i , T-, Π and T-". Further, the mode of the character input apparatus is sequentially converted in order of "the Korean input mode, the English input mode and the numeric input mode".
Thereafter, the control means 140 determines whether an input termination signal is generated at step S740. If the input termination signal is generated, the character input process of the present invention is terminated, while if the input termination signal is not generated, the above step S600 is performed. In the meantime, at steps S630, S660, S680 and S710, if any position key input signal is not generated or if a second group key input signal is generated without the detection of the mode conversion information at step S810, the control means 140 searches for single key information stored in the single key information storing unit 305 of the information storing means 130 on the basis of the second group key input signal generated by the input means 110 at step S820. Further, the control means 140 examines whether a third character corresponding to the searched single key information is a character combinable with the previous character (the first or second character) at step S830. For example, it is assumed that the mode of the character input apparatus of the present invention is the Korean input mode and "~ι" is displayed on the display means 120. At this time, if the second group key input signal generated at step S810 is a signal generated by pressing the "8" key 208, the third character to be displayed on the display means 120 is "A", and a double consonant "iλ" present in the Korean alphabet is generated. As described above, if the third character is the character combinable with the previous character at the examining step S830, the control means 140 displays a character (for example, "TΛ") generated by combining the previous character with the third character on the display means 120 at step S840, and then performs the above step S740. On the contrary, if the third character is not a character combinable with the previous character at the examining step S830, the control means 140 displays the third character on the display means 120 separately from the previous character at step S850, and then performs the above step S740. In this case, after the display steps S840 and S850 are performed, the above step S630 can be performed.
In the character inputting method of the present invention, since characters can be input by pressing a group key once, or sequentially pressing a group key and a position key (that is, a total of two pressing operations), characters can be more conveniently input compared to the prior art.
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims. For example, in the above embodiments, position keys for selecting specific characters are shown to be arranged in a specific row and described thereby, but they are not limited to the above embodiments and can be arranged in a specific column in another embodiment of the present invention. Further, in the above embodiments, only the character input apparatus and method implemented to input consonants or vowels of the Korean and English alphabets is described. However, another embodiment of the present invention can be implemented so that various languages, such as Japanese and German, are allocated to group keys and then input to terminals. Therefore, the technical scope of protection of the present invention must be defined by the technical spirit of the accompanying claims.
[ Industrial Applicability ]
As described above, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for inputting characters in a small-sized terminal, which converts the pressing of keys on a numeric keypad of the small-sized terminal having a limited number of keys through simple and intuitive combinations, thus expanding a key space to a virtual two-dimensional structure. That is, an actual keypad is not changed, but the number of virtual keys is increased, so that graphemes of a number much larger than the number of characters allocated to each conventional key can be directly input on the numeric keypad. Consequently, the character input apparatus and method of the present invention is implemented so that a large number of graphemes, except for some graphemes input by pressing a key once, correspond to virtual keys, thus enabling all graphemes to be input by pressing each key only once or twice. The advantages of the character input apparatus and method of the present invention obtained by the above implementation are described below.
First, since all graphemes of the Korean and English alphabets, including diphthongs of the Korean alphabet, can be input by pressing each key only once or twice, characters can be input by pressing each key a number of times less than that of a conventional character input apparatus and method.
Second, languages, such as Japanese having 50 or more graphemes, can be directly input on a numeric keypad.
Third, hot-keys are generated by combining the remaining keys, such as position keys, to which characters are not allocated, so that a mode can be converted on the numeric keypad, and an additional function (character deletion, etc.) of a small- sized terminal can be added. Fourth, because two keys for selecting a single grapheme can be intuitively recognized, a user can easily and conveniently perform the inputting of characters without additional learning.
Fifth, because characters are input by pressing a single group key, or sequentially pressing a single group key and a single position key, the present invention can eliminate any inconvenience that a user waits until a cursor moves to a next position, or presses an arrow key so as to input characters.
Sixth, due to the above advantages, the present invention can minimize the time required to input characters.

Claims

What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for inputting characters in a small-sized terminal, comprising: input means in which a plurality of character keys including group keys and position keys are arranged in a form of a matrix having a plurality of columns and rows, the input means generating a predetermined key input signal with respect to each of the character keys when the character key is pressed; display means for displaying each of characters input by the input means; infoπnation storing means for storing single key information on a character displayed on the display means by pressing a corresponding group key, and double key information on a character displayed on the display means by sequentially pressing a corresponding group key and a corresponding position key; and control means for receiving a key input signal generated by the input means by pressing at least one character key to search the information storing means, and displaying a character corresponding to the key input signal on the display means, wherein a predetermined number of characters are allocated to each of the group keys, and the position keys indicate positions of sonie of the characters, allocated to each of the group keys, on the group key.
2. The character input apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position keys for selecting specific characters are arranged in a specific row and positioned in columns corresponding to positions of the specific characters on a corresponding group key according to a sequence of the specific characters.
3. The character input apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position keys for selecting specific characters are arranged in a specific column and positioned in rows corresponding to positions of the specific characters on a corresponding group key according to a sequence of the specific characters.
4. The character input apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein: the information storing means includes a mode information storing unit for storing mode conversion information corresponding to key input signals generated by sequentially pressing at least two position keys; and the control means searches the mode inform storing unit when the key input signals sequentially generated by pressing at least two position keys are provided, and converts a current mode of the character input apparatus to another mode according to searched results. ' ' ■ ■'
5. The character input apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the characters allocated to each of the group keys are graphemes of at least one of languages from around the world.' '
6. A method of inputting characters in a small-sized terminal, the small-sized terminal including input means in which a plurality of keys, having a plurality of group keys each with at least two characters allocated thereto in a predetermined sequence and a plurality of position keys indicating positions of some of characters, allocated to' each of the group keys, on the group key, are arranged in the form of a matrix having a plurality of rows and columns and which generates a predetermined key input signal in response to an operation of pressing each of the keys, information storing means for storing character information representing a correlation between each of the keys and each of the characters and mode conversion information, and display means for displaying characters, the method comprising the steps;
A) searching the information storing means in response to a first group key input signal generated by the input means;
B) displaying a first character searched from the information storing means at step A) on the display means; C) determining whether a first position key input signal is generated by the input means by pressing any one of the position keys;
D) searching the information storing means to select a second character at a position indicated by the first position key input signal among the characters on a group key, to which the first character displayed at step B) is allocated, when the first position key input signal is generated; and
E) converting the first character displayed on the display means to the second character and displaying the second character.
7. The character inputting method according to claim 6, further comprising the steps of:
F) determining whether a second position key input signal is generated by the input means after performing step E);
G) searching the information storing means for mode conversion information corresponding to a combination of the first and second position key input signals to determine whether the mode conversion information is detected, when the second position key input signal is generated; and
H) converting the second character displayed on the display means to the first character, and converting a mode of the small-sized terminal according to the detected mode conversion information, when the mode conversion information is detected.
8. The character inputting method according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising the steps of:
I) determining whether a second group key signal is generated by the input means;
J) searching the information storing means for a third character corresponding to the second group key input signal when the second group key input signal is generated;
K) determining whether the third character is a character combinable with the first or second character displayed on the display means;
L) combining the third character with the first or second character and displaying the combined character on the display means when the third character is a character combinable with the first or second character; and
M) displaying the third character separately from the first or second character when the third character is not a character combinable with the first or second character.
9. The character inputting method according to claim 8, wherein the mode conversion information includes at least one of information for mutual conversion between a language input mode other than an English input mode and the English input mode, information for mutual conversion between the language input mode other than the English input mode and a numeric input mode, information for mutual conversion between the language input mode other than the English input mode and a special character input mode, information for mutual conversion between the English input mode and the numeric input mode, information for mutual conversion between the English input mode and the special character input mode, information for mutual conversion between the numeric input mode and the special character input mode, and information for toggling of uppercase and lowercase letters of the English alphabet.
PCT/KR2003/001942 2002-09-27 2003-09-24 Apparatus and method for inputting characters on small computing/communications devices WO2004030324A1 (en)

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KR100739170B1 (en) * 2004-12-31 2007-07-13 엘지전자 주식회사 Mobile communication terminal with department of input data conversion
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